England get helping hand

England were given a helping hand in their quest for victory in the npower Ashes Test at Lord's as controversy surrounded their successes on the fourth day.

Andrew Flintoff struck two blows, both of which came under scrutiny, and Graeme Swann also appeared to be gifted a wicket as Australia sunk to 120 for four.

The dismissals of both Australia openers were questionable as England struck twice before lunch and twice more in the first half of the afternoon session.

Simon Katich (6) trudged off as television replays showed he should have been reprieved by a call for no-ball.

Katich sliced a drive from a full delivery from over the wicket and Kevin Pietersen held a good catch at the second of two gullies.

Then, in the 10th over, Phillip Hughes (17) edged low to first slip, where Andrew Strauss claimed a catch just above the turf, coming forward and after a brief consultation, umpire Rudi Koertzen - standing in his 100th Test - confirmed his departure.

However, TV scrutiny cast some doubt on whether the ball had carried or been scooped up as it struck turf.

Ricky Ponting (38) appeared in determined mood, no doubt stirred by a sense of injustice, but perished in the second over after lunch when he chopped into his stumps off Stuart Broad.

Then, Swann claimed his first wicket of the series in fortuitous manner when a delivery spun out of a foothole at Michael Hussey (27), who drove aggressively, and the ball was well taken to his right, at slip, by Paul Collingwood.

It sparked huge celebrations among England's fielders but further looks at the incident highlighted that umpire Billy Doctrove had been duped by the turn and the sound of Hussey's bat jarring in the ground, as he had missed the ball completely.